Automated toilet seat

ABSTRACT

An automated toilet seat used in combination with a toilet. It comprises a housing assembly. A motor assembly has a motor that is housed within the housing assembly. The motor assembly also comprises a control box that has a switch and an electrical wire that extends from the control box to a sensor. The sensor comprises an optical switch that emits a continuous laser-beam. A moving arm assembly has a shaft having a fixed sleeve at a distal end. Extending from the fixed sleeve is a connector, and extending from the connector are first and second arms that are mounted to an underside of a seat of the toilet. Automatic toilet seat lifting/lowering means comprise the continuous laser-beam being interrupted to activate the motor to engage the moving arm assembly to lift the seat to a lifted position or lower the seat to a lowered position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to toilet systems and more particularly,to an automated toilet seat.

2. Description of the Related Art

Applicant believes that a reference corresponds to U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 20060242755 A1, published on Nov. 2, 2006 toKurt L. Lohss for Automatic Toilet Lid and Seat. However, it differsfrom the present invention because Lohss teaches a touch free, automaticseat and lid actuating system for toilets that includes at least onedrive mechanism for raising and lowering the seat and lid, a clutchmechanism enabling manual operation of the seat and the lid, and anattachment system for removably attaching the seat and the lid. Thedrive mechanism includes a first drive for operating the seat and asecond drive for operating the lid. The clutch mechanism includes a pininterfitting into a notch, and biased into the notch with a spring. Theattachment mechanism allows the seat and/or lid to be locked on thetoilet in a lowered position, and readily removable from the toilet in araised position.

Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No.6,618,864 issued to Bennie N. Veal on Sep. 16, 2003 for AutomaticFlushing and Seat Raising Arrangements for Toilets. However, it differsfrom the present invention because Veal teaches automatic flushing, lidraising and seat raising arrangements for toilets that include a tanktop having optical sensors integral therewith so that standard flushtanks and tops may be used with only the tops being slightly altered toaccommodate the optical sensors. The flushing arrangement is readilymountable on standard overflow pipes and provides automatic flushingwhile also allowing manual flushing. The lid and seat raising andlowering actuators are arranged in a single unit readily attachable to astandard toilet bowl using substantially standard lids and seats.

Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No.6,393,623 issued to Strickland, Jr. on May 28, 2002 for Toilet SeatRaising and Lowering Lift Device. However, it differs from the presentinvention because Strickland, Jr. teaches a floor mounted toilet with amechanical lift device comprising an adjustable linkage assemblyconnected between a foot pedal and a torque arm of a torque rod. Thetorque rod is affixed to the toilet seat to rotate the toilet seat.Applying a pedal force raises the toilet seat to a raised seat angle. Afloor mounted base member rotationally supports the foot pedal andrigidly supports a vertical member carrying a pivot plate of the linkageassembly to rotate about a pivotal axis. The initial force to raise thetoilet seat is adjusted by changing the first length of an upper rod ofthe linkage assembly. The raised seat angle is adjusted by the secondlength of a lower rod of the linkage assembly. The first and secondlengths are adjusted by providing length adjusting devices, such as aturnbuckle.

Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No.6,915,532 issued to Mohammed on Jul. 12, 2005 for Powered Toilet SeatPositioner. However, it differs from the present invention becauseMohammed teaches a powered toilet seat positioner in which a reversibleelectric motor drives a lift member pivoted to the toilet seat. In oneembodiment, a double shafted electric motor drives a pair of curved liftarms each connected at on outer end to one side of the toilet seat. Inanother embodiment, a nut is connected to a lift rod, the nut driven upor down on a threaded shaft driven by the motor to raise and lower thetoilet seat. In a third embodiment, an inner sleeve telescoped into anouter sleeve is driven up and down by the electric motor, the twosleeves are pivotally supported on an upright stanchion restingalongside the toilet. The inner sleeve is pivotally connected at its topto the toilet seat to raise or lower the same.

Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a numberof more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem inan efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novelfeatures of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention is an automated toilet seat that is used incombination with a toilet. It comprises a housing assembly that has abase wall and a top wall, a front wall and a rear wall, and first andsecond sidewalls. The housing assembly also comprises a mid base wall.The first sidewall has a through hole to receive a shaft therethrough.The shaft has a distal end that is rotatably mounted to the secondsidewall.

The instant invention also comprises a motor assembly that has a motor.The motor is housed within the housing assembly. Extending from themotor is a gear shaft that connects to a gear. Engaging onto the gear isa drive wheel. A drive shaft extends from the drive wheel to a pinion,and engaging onto the pinion is a rack. The motor assembly furthercomprises a control box that has a switch, a first electrical wire thathas a power source connector at its distal end, and a second electricalwire that extends from the control box to a sensor. The motor drives thegear, and the drive shaft is rotatably mounted to the first and secondsidewalls. The drive shaft has the drive wheel and the pinion fixedlymounted thereon at predetermined distances from the first and secondsidewalls. The gear is cooperatively engaged onto the drive wheel, andthe pinion is cooperatively engaged onto the rack. The rack is fixedlymounted to the shaft. The sensor comprises an optical switch that emitsa continuous laser-beam a predetermined distance. In the preferredembodiment, the sensor is mounted onto a tank lid of a toilet.

The instant invention also comprises a moving arm assembly that hasshaft having a fixed sleeve at a distal end. Extending from the fixedsleeve is a connector, and extending from the connector are first andsecond arms that are mounted to an underside of a seat of the toilet.Automatic toilet seat lifting/lowering means comprise the continuouslaser-beam being interrupted a first time by an object or hand of auser. When interrupted, the optical switch sends a first electricalsignal via the second electrical wire to the control box, and thecontrol box sends a second electrical signal to activate the motor toengage the moving arm assembly to lift the seat to a lifted position.The automatic toilet seat lifting/lowering means further comprises thecontinuous laser-beam being interrupted a second time by the object orthe hand of the user. The optical switch sends a third electrical signalvia the second electrical wire to the control box, and the control boxsends a fourth electrical signal to activate the motor to engage themoving arm assembly to lower the seat to a lowered position.

The instant invention automatically raises and lowers the seat withoutneed of the user physically lifting it, thus preventing the spread ofdangerous and/or harmful bacteria that may exist on the toilet andespecially the seat of the toilet in public restrooms.

The motor is mounted upon the mid base wall, and the motor assembly ispowered via the first electrical wire or battery power. In the preferredembodiment, the predetermined distance is up to twelve inches.

It is therefore one of the main objects of the present invention toprovide an automated toilet seat that automatically raises a toilet seatwith a mechanized assembly and without the need to physically lift it.

It is another object of this invention to provide an automated toiletseat that prevents the spread of dangerous and/or harmful bacteria.

It is another object of this invention to provide an automated toiletseat that comprises a sensor that is mounted onto a tank lid that emitsa laser-beam a predetermined distance.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device thatis inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining itseffectiveness.

Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the followingpart of the specification, wherein detailed description is for thepurpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitationsthereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consistsin the details of construction and combination of parts as will be morefully understood from the following description, when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 represents an isometric view of the instant invention installedonto a toilet, whereby a front wall of the housing assembly has beenremoved to show the motor assembly.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the instant invention as seen inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 represents an isometric view of the instant invention, wherebythe cover and seat have been raised.

FIG. 4 represents an isometric view of the instant invention, wherebythe seat has been lowered.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, the present invention is generallyreferred to with numeral 10. It can be observed that it basicallyincludes housing assembly 20, motor assembly 50, and moving arm assembly80.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, instant invention 10 is installed onto astandard toilet 100. Such a standard toilet comprises a tank lid 102that is mounted onto a tank 104. Cover 110 covers seat 112, and they areboth hingedly mounted, with hinges 108, seen in FIG. 3, to rim 114 ofbowl 116.

Housing assembly 20 may be installed onto either side of toilet 100. Inthe preferred embodiment, housing assembly 20 is generally rectangularin shape, comprising base wall 38 and top wall 22, front wall 24, seenin FIG. 4, and rear wall 26, and sidewalls 28 and 30. In addition,housing assembly 20 also comprises mid base wall 32. Sidewall 28 hasthrough hole 34, and sidewall 30 has switch cover plate 36 mountedthereon. Through hole 34 receives shaft 82 therethrough. A distal end ofshaft 82 is rotatably mounted to sidewall 30. Housing assembly 20 housesmost of motor assembly 50. Front wall 24 is removable to have access toperform maintenance upon motor assembly 50, and for illustrativepurposes, front wall 24 has been removed.

Motor assembly 50 comprises motor 52. Extending from motor 52 is a gearshaft that connects to gear 54. Engaging onto gear 54 is drive wheel 56.Drive shaft 58 extends from drive wheel 56 to pinion 60. Engaging ontopinion 60 is rack 62. Motor assembly 50 further comprises control box 64having switch 66, electrical wire 68 having power source connector 70 atits distal end, and electrical wire 72 that extends from control box 64to sensor 74. Motor 52, gear 54, drive wheel 56, drive shaft 58, pinion60, rack 62, and control box 64 are housed within house assembly 20.Motor 52 is mounted upon mid base wall 32 to drive gear 54. Drive shaft58 is rotatably mounted to sidewalls 28 and 30, and has drive wheel 56and pinion 60 fixedly mounted thereon at predetermined distances fromsidewalls 30 and 28 respectively. Gear 54 is cooperatively engaged ontodrive wheel 56 and pinion 60 is cooperatively engaged onto rack 62. Rack62 is fixedly mounted to shaft 82 of moving assembly 80. Switch 66, an“on”/“off” switch, is mounted onto sidewall 30.

In the preferred embodiment, power source connector 70 may be connectedto a power source such as an electrical outlet. In an alternateembodiment, motor assembly 50 may run on battery power and is notplugged into an electrical outlet. In the preferred embodiment, sensor74 is centrally mounted onto tank lid 102. However, sensor 74 may alsobe mounted onto an adjacent wall or other suitable surface. Sensor 74comprises an optical switch, not seen, and emits a continuous laser-beam76 a predetermined distance, that may be twelve inches as an example.

As better seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, moving arm assembly 80 comprises shaft82 having fixed sleeve 84 at a distal end. Extending from fixed sleeve84, are connector 90, and arms 86 and 88. Arms 86 and 88 are mounted tothe underside of seat 112.

Instant invention 10 also comprises automatic toilet seatlifting/lowering means. In operation from the first position illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 2, when laser-beam 76 is interrupted a first time by anobject or the hand of a user, the optical switch within sensor 74 sendsa first electrical signal via electrical wire 72 to control box 64.Control box 64 in turn, sends a second electrical signal to activatemotor 52, thus engaging moving arm assembly 80 to lift seat 112 to theposition illustrated in FIG. 3. It is noted that cover 110, being on topof seat 112, will also be lifted.

In operation from the second position illustrated in FIG. 3, whenlaser-beam 76 is interrupted a second time by the object or the hand ofthe user, the optical switch within sensor 74 sends a third electricalsignal via electrical wire 72 to control box 64. Control box 64 in turn,sends a fourth electrical signal to activate motor 52, thus engagingmoving arm assembly 80 to lower seat 112 to the position illustrated inFIG. 4. It is noted that cover 110, being on top of seat 112, willremain lifted, due to cover 110 traveling more than 90 degrees whenlifted to the illustrated position.

Instant invention 10 therefore automatically raises and lowers seat 112without the need of the user physically lifting it, thus preventing thespread of dangerous and/or harmful bacteria that may exist on toilets ingeneral and especially seats of toilets in public restrooms.

The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of theobjectives and advantages of the present invention. Differentembodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. Itis to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

1. An automated toilet seat used in combination with a toilet,comprising: A) a housing assembly comprising a base wall and a top wall,a front wall and a rear wall, and first and second sidewalls, saidhousing assembly also comprises a mid base wall, said first sidewall hasthrough hole to receive a shaft therethrough, said shaft having a distalend that is rotatably mounted to said second sidewall; B) a motorassembly comprising a motor, said motor is housed within said housingassembly, extending from said motor is a gear shaft that connects to agear, engaging onto said gear is a drive wheel, a drive shaft extendsfrom said drive wheel to a pinion and engaging onto said pinion is arack, said motor assembly further comprises a control box having aswitch, a first electrical wire having a power source connector at itsdistal end, and a second electrical wire that extends from said controlbox to a sensor, said motor drives said gear, said drive shaft isrotatably mounted to said first and second sidewalls and has said drivewheel and said pinion fixedly mounted thereon at predetermined distancesfrom said first and second sidewalls, said gear is cooperatively engagedonto said drive wheel, and said pinion is cooperatively engaged ontosaid rack, said rack is fixedly mounted to said shaft, said sensorcomprises an optical switch that emits a continuous laser-beam apredetermined distance, said sensor is mounted onto a tank lid of atoilet; C) a moving arm assembly comprises said shaft having a fixedsleeve at a distal end, extending from said fixed sleeve is a connector,extending from said connector are first and second arms that are mountedto an underside of a seat of said toilet; and D) automatic toilet seatlifting/lowering means comprising said continuous laser-beam beinginterrupted a first time by an object or hand of a user, and saidoptical switch sending a first electrical signal via said secondelectrical wire to said control box, and said control box sending asecond electrical signal to activate said motor to engage said movingarm assembly to lift said seat to a lifted position.
 2. The automatedtoilet seat used in combination with a toilet set forth in claim 1,further characterized in that said automatic toilet seatlifting/lowering means further comprises said continuous laser-beambeing interrupted a second time by said object or said hand of saiduser, and said optical switch sending a third electrical signal via saidsecond electrical wire to said control box, and said control box sendinga fourth electrical signal to activate said motor to engage said movingarm assembly to lower said seat to a lowered position.
 3. The automatedtoilet seat used in combination with a toilet set forth in claim 2,further characterized in that said automatic toilet seatlifting/lowering means automatically raises and lowers said seat withoutneed of said user physically lifting it, thus preventing spread ofdangerous and/or harmful bacteria that may exist on said toilet andespecially said seat of said toilet in public restrooms.
 4. Theautomated toilet seat used in combination with a toilet set forth inclaim 1, further characterized in that said motor is mounted upon saidmid base wall.
 5. The automated toilet seat used in combination with atoilet set forth in claim 2, further characterized in that said motorassembly is powered via said first electrical wire or battery power. 6.The automated toilet seat used in combination with a toilet set forth inclaim 2, further characterized in that said predetermined distance is upto twelve inches.
 7. An automated toilet seat used in combination with atoilet, comprising: A) a housing assembly comprising a base wall and atop wall, a front wall and a rear wall, and first and second sidewalls,said housing assembly also comprises a mid base wall, said firstsidewall has through hole to receive a shaft therethrough, said shafthaving a distal end that is rotatably mounted to said second sidewall;B) a motor assembly comprising a motor, said motor is housed within saidhousing assembly, extending from said motor is a gear shaft thatconnects to a gear, engaging onto said gear is a drive wheel, a driveshaft extends from said drive wheel to a pinion and engaging onto saidpinion is a rack, said motor assembly further comprises a control boxhaving a switch, a first electrical wire having a power source connectorat its distal end, and a second electrical wire that extends from saidcontrol box to a sensor, said motor drives said gear, said drive shaftis rotatably mounted to said first and second sidewalls and has saiddrive wheel and said pinion fixedly mounted thereon at predetermineddistances from said first and second sidewalls, said gear iscooperatively engaged onto said drive wheel, and said pinion iscooperatively engaged onto said rack, said rack is fixedly mounted tosaid shaft, said sensor comprises an optical switch that emits acontinuous laser-beam a predetermined distance, said sensor is mountedonto a tank lid of a toilet; C) a moving arm assembly comprises saidshaft having a fixed sleeve at a distal end, extending from said fixedsleeve is a connector, extending from said connector are first andsecond arms that are mounted to an underside of a seat of said toilet;and D) automatic toilet seat lifting/lowering means comprising saidcontinuous laser-beam being interrupted a first time by an object orhand of a user, and said optical switch sending a first electricalsignal via said second electrical wire to said control box, and saidcontrol box sending a second electrical signal to activate said motor toengage said moving arm assembly to lift said seat to a lifted position,said automatic toilet seat lifting/lowering means further comprises saidcontinuous laser-beam being interrupted a second time by said object orsaid hand of said user, and said optical switch sending a thirdelectrical signal via said second electrical wire to said control box,and said control box sending a fourth electrical signal to activate saidmotor to engage said moving arm assembly to lower said seat to a loweredposition to automatically raise and lower said seat without need of saiduser physically lifting it, thus preventing spread of dangerous and/orharmful bacteria that may exist on said toilet and especially said seatof said toilet in public restrooms.
 8. The automated toilet seat used incombination with a toilet set forth in claim 7, further characterized inthat said motor is mounted upon said mid base wall.
 9. The automatedtoilet seat used in combination with a toilet set forth in claim 8,further characterized in that said motor assembly is powered via saidfirst electrical wire or battery power.
 10. The automated toilet seatused in combination with a toilet set forth in claim 9, furthercharacterized in that said predetermined distance is up to twelveinches.